A couple days went by before Imperius made the decision to send a permanent angelic watch to the home. They would be invisible to the eyes of humans. Ilerael and Lilaurael were completely against it, but the angelic warriors were stubborn. They would not refuse an order from Imperius. Four were sent down from Heaven. Two would watch over the home. The other two would stand guard over the infant. Their heavy, angelic hammers would easily crush any that tried to harm them.
When Auriel went to confront Imperius about this, he only snorted at her arguments. "Imperius, we need them back here! There is no need to send them away. And, why did you mark that child?"
"To know where she will always be. That's why," he grumbled and turned his back to her. "I have my reasons for this. There have been no demon attacks of late. I sent down only four warriors. That is nothing compared to how many more I could have sent down."
"Imperius..." Auriel said sternly. "you are not acting like yourself."
He seemed to glare at her and vanished away in his usual beam of light. She shook her head and found Itherael next to her. He seemed oddly amused. "Yes. I noticed it, too."
"He likes the child."
"That he does."
"He is also acting like one."
"I know this, too."
"What can be done?"
"Nothing. Let him do as he wishes. It is what he has always done," Itherael said. Auriel sighed and knew where Imperius went. He always found himself at the viewing chamber. He would watch over the child for hours on end, it seemed. It clearly baffled her. She knew that he had not much else to do, anyways. Ever since the pact that was made on Sanctuary, there were no more battles of valor for him. His irritable mood was starting to dampen many around him. If this helped to keep him from storming about and brooding, then what more could be said? In the end, she heeded the advice of Itherael. Imperius always did as he liked these days. She let Imperius be.
For the next ten years, it was the same. He would see to the days' accomplishments and head to the viewing chamber. He watched Anaurael slowly blossom into the stunning child she became. Her hair was allowed to grow long and never seemed to tangle. Her skin was always flawless. None of the villagers saw her mark, or the angelic protectors that watched her. She saw the guards all the time, though. And, through them, she learned of her angelic history in secret.
She was warned to keep all of this knowledge about them to herself and her family. She was told that the villagers wouldn't understand, and that it was safer this way. Even her parents were forced to answer her questions. When she finally built up the courage to ask about the golden dot on her forehead, it was her father that had to talk to her about it. She saw it as clear as day in a mirror. As much as she liked knowing it was there, she had no clue how she got it. She figured it was time to know. He had her sit on her bed to talk to her leisurely. The small cottage was easily expanded to make a room for her. She needed a bit of her own privacy at times.
"You know of Imperius?" he asked.
"I do. The Archangel of Valor, leader of the Angiris Council," she smiled.
"That's right," he chuckled. He was a bit upset that no further offspring were made. He would have loved for her to have a brother or a sister. Did it work oddly with angels? Where only one child could be made per couple? It seemed to be the case. "Anyways, on the night you were born, he came down to see you. That dot on your forehead is from him."
"What?!" she frowned. "Am I in trouble?"
"No, honey," he smiled and squeezed her. "He merely wanted to watch over you. I don't know why, but he seems to like you. He never likes anyone, though. Made no sense to your mother and I. He even sent down the angel guards that we have here! But, that's where your mark came from. Imperius touched your forehead. He even held you, too."
"He did hold me?" she frowned. "Um...so...he was the one in all gold?"
"You remember seeing him?!" her father asked incredulously.
"Yes, Father. I do. And...I felt...protected. It was the only sensation I got. At least I know I have a guardian angel watching me from time to time," she beamed. "Five of them now."
"Make that seven. Your Mother and I were angels, too," he smiled and kissed her temple before hugging her. "I still don't know why Imperius marked you. He has his reasons, though."
"At least he didn't hurt me," she sighed.
"No. I'll thank Akarat for that," he agreed.
"Someone is approaching the house," an angelic guard announced.
"Do you know who?" he asked.
"A villager. It looks like Harvey," the guard replied.
"Thank you. At least they don't sleep," Ilerael mused. Anaurael giggled, and he squeezed her again. He left her in her room to read a book, and he went into the kitchen part of the cottage to prepare something to eat. Lilaurael was in the village to purchase seeds and breads. She had one of the angelic guards with her. It was fine, though some travelers with a touch of the sight would swear up and down that they saw angels in the town. It started to make many think that the small village was spiritually blessed. It did bring good trade, but a lot of superstition, too.
"Hey, Isaiah!" Harvey said with a wave. He brought a flat package with him. "I brought something for Ana. She likes books, and I found this at a traveling wagon that stopped in town."
"Oh?" Ilerael smiled. On unwrapping the large tome, he paused. "This is a book on the Horadrim! How did you get this? You bought this?"
"One coin," Harvey nodded. "They were trying to get rid of it."
"Interesting," he frowned. "I'm not sure I can accept this."
"Take it! I have no need for it. I just thought of Ana when I saw it. She loves books! What would some old Horadric tales do? It's entertainment, really," he grinned.
"I suppose. Thanks. How's your trade?" Ilerael asked and set the book aside.
"Not too bad, thanks. Been selling more from all the new flow of people from Kingsport. The angel sculptures really sell well! They want to construct a monument in the center of town. With a waterfall to act as the wings! They also want me to make the main design," he said with pride.
"Now that would be something," Ilerael admitted.
"Anyways, how is Ana?" he asked.
"Doing very well. She's in her room."
"Good. Um, I was wondering something."
"What?"
"My son's four years older than her..."
"She's ten. She is not ready for dating."
"I know that. I'm just thinking that, well, when the time comes, they could try to hook up."
"Doubtful," Ilerael smirked. "I don't think she would ever be interested in a relationship."
"You don't know that!" Harvey said.
"Is this the real reason why you came here? Besides, my daughter already has an interest taken to her by a higher authority. Higher than Westmarch," Ilerael said with a small shrug.
"A noble?"
"Higher than that. You could say a form of royalty."
"Oh. Well, of course. Where does this one live?"
"I was told to keep that a secret. And, yes, Lily does know this, too. We both met him. He's so powerful that he has mages everywhere to protect us. Don't go telling anyone, though. It could be the mages that are disguising themselves as apparitions, too. To bring fame and fortune to this town, and to protect it from harm. Think about it."
"Oh! Of course, of course..." Harvey seemed to sweat. The angelic guard near the door actually let out a chuckle. It couldn't be heard by the human, but Ilerael grinned a bit with a shrug. Even angels found things amusing at times.
"Father!" Anaurael beamed when she moved out of the room. She was wearing a clean cotton dress that was dyed a deep blue. "I'm going to go outside to read."
"That's fine. Oh, here's a new book for you! Harvey bought it for you," he smiled.
"Thank you! I'll read it now!" she said with pure childish delight. She took up the heavy tome and carried it outside. Harvey found himself smiling. He did think of her as his daughter, too.
"I would have loved to have had a daughter," Harvey sighed.
"Now I understand why you pamper her," Ilerael chuckled.
"Guilty," he nodded and rose up a hand. "I'll head back to town."
"Of course," Ilerael waved. There was something about that book that bothered him. He'd have to look at it later. Maybe when Lily got back. She should be about done by now. Outside the small cottage, Anaurael set the book down in her lap when she sat on a small stone bench. When she opened the tome, she started to read. When an angelic guard sat next to her, she smiled at him.
"Hello! Have you come to read with me?" she asked.
"This book should not have reached you," the guard said in his deep tone. "It belongs to a certain Deckard Cain. A true Horadrim. This book may have been stolen from him. We need to return it."
"Oh! I mean...if that's true..."
"Look. Everything is hand-written. Hand drawn. If he comes here to seek this book, then you may be identified. We cannot risk it. This book is his life's work."
"I could learn so much from it, though," she frowned.
"There are some things that should not be learned," he said gently.
"Then...how do we get this back to him?"
"Tonight, one of us will deliver it to him while he sleeps. He cannot know of you or your family. He could easily see us, too. He has abilities that will expose us. I am sure that he would understand, but it is best for him to keep to himself."
"Very well. But...until tonight? Then the book will go back?"
"Yes," he nodded. They glanced over when Ilerael ran out of the house. He identified the book.
"Honey, I need that book back," he said sternly.
"I know. I was just told that it was stolen. The angels will return it tonight," she smiled.
"Okay. I still need it back, though. It's not safe for you to read," he said.
"But..." she frowned. At his small glare, she winced. "Yes, Father."
"We are teaching you what you need to know. Be grateful about that. You are not old enough to learn everything yet. We can tell you the small tales and stories. But, not the true facts."
"When can I learn?" she asked.
"When you turn fifteen. That should be decent. Okay? Five more years," he promised. "I'll even talk to your mother about it. But, as for this book, it needs to go back to the owner."
"Okay," she nodded. When her mother showed up an hour later, it was heavily discussed, but agreed on for the proper age. The book was secured and stored away for the time to be taken. But, after her parents fell asleep, she was wide awake. She wanted to read as much as she could. She got up silently and crept over to where the book was. At the sight of an angelic guard holding it, she frowned.
"I must take this back," he said in a rather hushed tone.
"But...I really wanted to read it..." she frowned.
"I know. However, now is the time for it to return to the owner. If we wait, then the owner will come here. Deckard Cain..."
"Cannot know of me. I know," she sighed, as she finished his sentence.
"There may be a time that you can read this. However, that time is not now," he said. "When the time comes, you will know. You must go back to sleep."
"I can't sleep. I'll just sit outside for a bit."
"Very well," he nodded. A guard moved to stand over her with his heavy hammer ready. As she sat there with a soft smile on her face, she found herself gazing up at the stars. She longed to be somewhere else. She knew she didn't belong where she was.
"I feel so alone," she frowned and pulled her knees to her chest by the small pool of water.
"But, you are not alone," a heavy, regal voice spoke out behind her. The angelic guard wasn't there anymore, but a brilliant, glowing light was. The way his wings arched to a peak point towards his halo before sloping downwards seemed to give off an intimidating, powerful vibe. She gasped and turned to see the golden armored Imperius standing tall. She almost stumbled backwards into the pond. "I have been watching you from the day I marked you. Your destiny is unclear. Your interest in the Horadrim sect is noted, though. In time, you will learn more. There is no need for you to waste your time moping about! When there is a battle, you see it through to the end. There are no shortcuts. There is no easy way. You either bear that pain to overcome it, or you let it consume you."
"You're...Imperius?" she asked with a small swallow.
"That I am, child," he nodded slightly. She wanted to run to him to hug him. To feel that protective feeling she got so long ago. But, something told her it wasn't safe to do that. She whimpered softly and trembled. Then she began to cry. "Why do you shed useless tears?"
"Because...I'm happy to see you...and also afraid..." she hiccuped.
"A mortal mix of emotions," he muttered to himself.
"I...want to hug you...but...you may not like it..." she winced. She was still a child, but even she knew danger when it was right in front of her. She didn't know whether he was safe or something to avoid. The confusion truly hurt her.
"To...hug me?" he asked with dismay.
"You held me...as a baby," she whispered. "I remember you doing it."
"I see," he said.
"You shouldn't...even be here..." she said softly. "I thought...you made a pact..."
"The demons shattered that pact. There is no need to honor it."
"Then why...?"
"Because of you. That is why I'm here."
"Then...you should unmark me. I don't want you to get in trouble."
"Me? In trouble?!" he asked with confusion. "What do you speak of?"
"Won't others get mad if they see you here?"
"They don't understand. Even I don't understand."
"Well...I guess I'll go back to bed. Thank you for visiting me," she said. She rose up weakly and managed to make her way to the door. A part of her hurt, but she would push through it.
"Wait," he said lightly. She turned to look at him. "I want to know one thing."
"What is that?" she asked.
"This...hug thing," he muttered. That got her to smile. Now she walked back up to him and rose up her arms. "Is this a ritual?"
"No. Pick me up. You're much taller than me," she said with a small blush. He seemed to sigh heavily, but he found himself doing just that. At the feel of her small arms moving around his armored collar, he found himself in a sense of elation. "Not too tight! I need to breathe!"
"Oh..." he said with a touch of actual apology and loosened his grip. Now she sighed and started to relax. There was only one thought on her mind. I am home.